The meeting took place in The Hague at Eurojust premises. Prosecutors from the Member States exchanged views, experiences and best practices extracted from investigations and prosecutions of complex human trafficking offences. A first exchange took place online in June 2022.

Participants discussed challenges and actions needed to address the online dimension of human trafficking and conduct successful financial investigations.

Participants explored ways of bringing prosecutors closer to the EU-wide Joint Action Days against human trafficking organised in the framework of EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats). They were also informed about training provided by CEPOL and the European Judicial Training Network. Finally and importantly, the Focus Group of specialised prosecutors against human trafficking expressed their wish to continue regular exchanges in order to build trust, improve prosecutions and intensify cross-border cooperation.

Daniela Buruiana, chair of Eurojust’s Anti-Trafficking Team, stated the fight against human trafficking has long been a high priority at EU level. It requires very close cooperation and coordination across jurisdictions among key actors, including at law enforcement and judicial level. Only through joint efforts, we can be successful in the investigation, prosecution and conviction of traffickers as well as in identification, assistance and support to victims. I value the close cooperation with the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator in supporting the networking of prosecutors specialised in this area.

The EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, Diane Schmitt, highlighted that exchanges during these two days-meeting showed the strong commitment of specialised prosecutors in combatting trafficking in human beings. It is generally recognised that the numbers of prosecutions and convictions are still low due to different challenges discussed among the prosecutors. Cross-border cooperation with the support of Eurojust can help addressing these challenges. Digital evidence and financial investigations are important in order not to rely solely on the testimony of the victims. There is also a need to increase awareness and training of judicial authorities on trafficking in human beings.